BHP's Escondida mine supervisors say collective contract deal far off

By Reuters News

SANTIAGO, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Unionized supervisors at BHP's Escondida copper mine in Chile remain far from reaching a new collective contract agreement as time quickly runs out before a mandatory mediation period is set to begin, union leader Alexis Barrera said on Tuesday.

The company has until Wednesday to submit an offer for workers to vote on.

  • If workers reject the company's offer, a mandatory government mediation process of at least five days will commence.

  • The mediation process can then be extended for another five days if no deal is reached, before workers are legally allowed to strike.

  • According to union calculations, the company's latest proposal offers little beyond what the current collective contract already provides in terms of salary and benefits, Barrera said.

  • The union has rejected a company demand that supervisors train for plant operations — including driving trucks — arguing those roles belong to floor staff.

  • Escondida management is seeking a 14-days-on, 14-days-off shift rotation, which Barrera said the union will not accept.

  • "We are very far apart. We are still far from having an agreement," Barrera said in a union statement.

  • "Our people fully trust the board and if a strike vote is needed, it will surely succeed," Barrera added.

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